Composition for treating skin ulcers

ABSTRACT

An improved composition for treatment of ulcer-type skin conditions. The composition is primarily characterized by a combination of nitroglycerin and arginine. Other embodiments comprise emollient cream, mineral oil, tumeric powder, folic acid, vitamin B12, and zinc citrate. The composition is particulary effective in improving blood flow in the underlying capillary bed about the wound, improving nerve growth about the wound, increasing circulation, and having a standardized and more predictable therapeutic characteristic.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to an improved composition fortreatment of a skin condition. More specifically, the present inventionrelates to an improved composition for treatment for common types ofskin ulcers, including diabetic, stasis, and decubitus ulcers.

2. Background Information

Various treatments for ulcer-type skin conditions are known in the art.More specifically, skin ulcer treatment regimens heretofore devised andutilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected andobvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the designsencompassed by the prior art which have been developed for thefulfillment of various objectives and requirements.

Known documents include: U.S. Pat. No. 6,569,840, which relies onmodified (oxidized) heparins; and U.S. Pat. No 5,789,439, which reliesone pharmaceutical use of forskolin derivatives.

While these treatments may fulfill their respective, particularlyclaimed objectives and requirements, the aforementioned documents do notdisclose an improved composition for treating skin ulcers such asApplicant's present invention.

Today's society, particularly in the United States, is increasinglysusceptible to Diabetes. In fact, the incidence of diabetes is risingprecipitously. Genetic traits, in combination with poor diet and lack ofexercise, are thought to be significant factors in one's likelihood ofcoming down with diabetes.

Type II diabetes is the most common form of the disease and accounts for90 to 95 percent of all diabetes. Throughout the world, the incidence ofType II diabetes is nearing epidemic proportions. Examination of currentand expected diabetic trends (and the detrimental effects therefrom) ishelpful for grasping the tremendous need for the present invention.

By way of example, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”)reports an increase in the cases of diagnosed adult diabetes of 49%between 1990 and 2000. Further, the CDC estimates the diabetes, bothdiagnosed and undiagnosed, affects approximately seventeen millionAmericans (or some 6.2% of the U.S. population).

Diabetes is a prevalent disease and an ever-growing domestic andinternational public health concern. The World Health organizationestimates that approximately 150 million people are affected bydiabetes; and, these numbers are expected to only get worse (estimated215 million people affected by 2010; estimated 300 million peopleaffected by 2025). Worldwide, diabetes has a relatively high mortalityrate. Diabetes is reportedly among the top five causes of death bydisease in most countries, though this may be a conservative ranking.More likely, diabetes is even more deadly as it is frequently underreported on death certificates. Finally, diabetes does not discriminate.Similar trends in the increase incidence of diabetes has been observedacross both sexes, virtually every age group, different ethic groups,all socio-economic backgrounds, and every state in the Union.Importantly, the occurrence of diabetes and skin ulcers is directlyrelated. Accordingly, the sharp increase in the number of people havingdiabetes has led to an increase in the number of people affected by skinulcers. By way of example, diabetics have a fifteen percent chance ofdeveloping a foot ulcer during their lifetime. Of those diabetics thatdevelop foot ulcers, approximately twenty percent will requireamputation. (International J of Pharm Compounding 8(4) July/August 2004,269). Such amputations are also increasing at an alarming rate. Between1990 and 2000, the number of amputations resulting from foot ulcersincreased by twenty six percent. This trend is expected not only tocontinue, but to worsen in the coming years. Foot ulcers causeapproximately eighty five percent of all diabetic amputation of thelower extremities (Emergency Medicine 36(8) Au 2004, 14-23). The numberof such lower extremity amputations (LEA's) now exceeds 100,000 peryear!

Recurring foot ulcers, and the amputations that may result, present acontinuing problem on a national and global scale. In the event that anulcer is successfully treated, it is more likely than not that the ulcerwill reoccur. Recurrence rates associated with diabetic foot ulcers andresulting LEA's are commonly as high as fifty percent to seventy percentover a period of three to five years.

Those skilled in the art of ulcer treatment realize that the acceptedstandard of care is simply not working. Current medications s oftreatment all too commonly fail to heal ulcers and prevent theoccurrence of complications such as infection and gangrene. Overall,fifty to eighty percent of patients having diabetic foot ulcers willheal within six months—assuming optimal management from amulti-disciplinary team. (Emergency Medicine 36(8) August, 2004, 14-23).However, all too common complications require hospitalization, painfuland expensive surgery, and a prolonged rehabilitation regimen. With theincidence of ulcer recurrence as high as seventy percent, the healing ofone ulcer is often rapidly followed by the development of a new one.

In view of the serious consequences of diabetic ulcers and the utterinability to effectively treat those ulcers, a great need exists for animproved treatment. Applicant's invention, through a novel compositionand associated methods of applying that composition, provides a muchneeded solution to the problems mentioned above. While known regimensrely on the use of debridement and washing, the present invention doesaway with this accepted treatment. Applicant has found that suchtreatment typically results in scarring, non-closure of the wound,and/or recurrence. Instead, the present invention relies on a novelcombination of ingredients that is particularly effective in increasingblood flow and nerve growth about the wound.

A few practical examples, experienced first hand by Applicant, shedlight on the startling results associated with the present invention:

Patient B has had diabetes for several years, the last two of which hehas been confined to a wheel chair. During this past year Patient B hasbeen hospitalized for non-healing pressure ulcers on his buttock region.Every developed ulcer has caused a tremendous amount of pain ansuffering. Also, these ulcers have necessitated surgery and costlymedical bills. Complication of these ulcers extended to the pelvic bone,which required removal of a portion of the bone. The present compositionwas applied to the wound one time per day for a period of three days. Bythe third day of treatment the wound had decreased in size byapproximately twenty five percent. Also, the wound was radicallyimproved, where approximately thirty percent of the wound had beencovered with new white granular tissue with obvious healing occurringthroughout the entire ulcer. During the next three days, the compositionwas applied twice daily. After a total of six days of treatment, theoriginal wound was virtually covered with new tissue growth.

Before application of the present composition, Patient F had lost onefinger tip to an ulcer and poor circulation. Her entire hand was rigidand swollen. Before treatment, several of Patient F's fingers were atrisk of amputation. After a week of application of the presentcomposition, her hand was soft and mobile, had better circulation, lesspain, and a reduction of dark areas marked by poor blood flow. A singlelesion had been open to the bone; however, after three days of treatmentthe lesion went from oozing blood and pus to being completely closed.According to standard treatment protocols, Patient F's lesion would havebeen reopened for further drainage. However, the present regimens avoidssuch a necessity.

Patient F has an open scalp lesion of approximately two centimeters inlength. After three days of treatment (where the patient continued towash the wound against Applicant's advise), the lesion had decreased byseventy percent. From the fourth to sixth day, the patient did not washthe wound. By the night of the forth day the lesion has completelyclosed, By day six, the patient reported a fifty percent reduction inpain such that she could rest her head upon a pillow to sleep.

Patient K had a developing lesion between her buttocks, which appearedto have a monilial infection. Applicant fear the overlying yeastinfection would block entry of the present composition. After two daysof treatment, the lesion had improved by some fifty percent. After aweek of treatment, the lesion had completely healed and the patientreported a tremendous decrease in pain and overall discomfort.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The general purpose of the present invention, which will be describedsubsequently in greater detail, is to provide an improved compositionfor the treatment of ulcer-type skin conditions which has many of theadvantages of such regimens known in the art and many novel featuresthat result in a new composition of treatment which are not anticipated,rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the knowncompositions or methods of treatment, either alone or in any combinationthereof.

In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention toprovide an improved composition for treatment for ulcer-type skinconditions that does not include substantial debridement.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improvedcomposition for treatment for ulcer-type skin conditions that does notinclude substantial washing.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improvedcomposition for treatment for ulcer-type skin conditions that createseffective vasodilation of underlying capillary beds in patients.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improvedcomposition for treatment for ulcer-type skin conditions that has aparticularly high anti-fungal property.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improvedcomposition for treatment for ulcer-type skin conditions that increasesblood flow to nerves.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improvedcomposition for treatment for ulcer-type skin conditions that increasesnerve growth.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improvedcomposition for treatment for ulcer-type skin conditions that has aparticularly high absorption characteristic.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improvedcomposition for treatment for ulcer-type skin conditions that isparticularly effective in increasing circulation.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improvedcomposition for treatment for ulcer-type skin conditions that has aparticularly effective and standardized distribution characteristic.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improvedcomposition for treatment for ulcer-type skin conditions thatincorporates simultaneous application of Arginine and Nitroglycerin.

In satisfaction of these and other related objectives, the presentinvention provides an improved composition for the treatment ofulcer-type skin conditions. The present invention, by way of a novelcomposition and associated methods of applying that composition, yieldsresults that simply are not possible with any other known treatments.

The composition of the present invention comprises nitroglycerin andarginine, which have been found to work synergistically to increase theabsorption and distribution the other. The combination of these twocomponents has a synergetic effect where each increases circulation anddistribution of the other. With simultaneous application of one, thebeneficial action of the other is increased. The distribution of eachcomponent within the affected tissue is increased with this manner ofapplication. In fact, Applicant has found that such combination resultsin an approximate fifty percent increase with respect to predictability,distribution about the sound, and standardized action.

In its most preferred form, the present composition comprises:nitroglycerin 2% ointment, emollient cream base, lidocaine (USP powder99.95), mineral oil (light 65-75 VIS liquid), Tumeric Powder, Folic AcidDilution (50 MG=2.5MG FOLI powder), Vitamin B12 dilution (50MG=2.5MG B12powder), Aloe Vera (freeze dried 200:1 powder), Zinc Citrate (PurifiedPowder), and Arginine (L) (HCL powder). This composition is formed asthe triturate powders and wet powders are combined with the mineral oiland then thoroughly mixed with emollient cream. The ingredients are thenQS'ed to the desired volume.

Associated application of the present composition are generallycharacterized by the topical or injectable application of theaforementioned composition. When injected, the medication is typicallydelivered by syringe in amount depending on the size and depth of theparticular lesion. Generally, syringes between ½ CC and 2 CC aresufficient.

The treatment protocol essentially involves leaving the wound alone toheal on its own. That is, the wound is not to be interfered with and useof anti-bacterial or anti-microbial soaps is to be avoided. Debridementand washing of the wound are to be avoided (such has been discovered topromote scarring, non closure, and recurrence of the ulcer). Afterapplication of the composition, the wound is typically covered with atefla pad (or some equivalent) and breathable tape. This allows thewound to remain fairly dry (substantially free of any undue moisture)and open to the surrounding air.

While the characteristics unique to this treatment protocol may appearto be subtle distinctions at first glance, these distinctions yield aregimen that is different from any such known in the art and producesunexpected (and previously unachievable) results. For instance, thepresent method increases blood flow to nerves thereby increasing nervegrowth. This expedites the growth of new island cells and allows skin totake root and grow. This is a primary reason for the improved resultsnot seen in any of the known treatment regimens. Further, Applicant hasdevised a compound that creates effective vasodilation of the underlyingcapillary bed in patients with compromised vascular function The presentinvention eliminates the need for debridement while acting as ananti-fungal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the preferred embodiment of the present medicament, and in themedicament upon which an associated method of treatment is based, theprimary active ingredients are Nitroglycerin and Arginine. In thispreferred embodiment, the Nitroglycerin is in the form of two percentointment; and, the arginine is in the form of HCL powder.

The preferred nitroglycerin-arginine based compositions of the presentinvention may be prepared according to the following disclosure andprotocol, with variations appropriate to a desired scale or productionas will be apparent to person skilled in the production ofpharmaceutical preparations:

A. Constituents of Preferred Embodiment of Composition for Remediationof Dermal Anomalies Ingredients Quantity Nitroglycerin 2% ointment 10 GMArginine (L) HCL Powder 10 GM Emollient cream base 100 GM Lidocaine, USPPowder 2 GM Mineral Oil, Light 65-75 VIS liquid 8.33 ML Tumeric Powder.25 GM Folic Acid Dilution 50 MG = 2.5 MG FOLI powder .02667 GM VitaminB12 dilution 50 MG = 2.5 MG B12 powder .02 GM Aloe Vera freeze dried200:1 powder .2 GM Zinc Citrate Purified Powder 2 GM Total: 124.5 GM

B. General Mixing Procedure of Preferred Embodiment of Composition forRemediation of Dermal Anomalies

-   1. Triturate powders and wet powders with mineral oil and mix    thoroughly with emollient cream.-   2. QS to desired volume.

The formed composition may then be applied topically or throughinjection. Typically, the composition is applied between one and threetimes per day. A treatment period between three and ten days is thoughtto be sufficient to heal the large majority of treated wounds.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specificembodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limitedsense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well asalternative embodiments of the inventions will become apparent topersons skilled in the art upon the reference to the description of theinvention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claims willcover such modifications that fall within the scope of the invention.

1. A composition for remediating of dermal anomalies, comprising:approximately ten parts nitroglycerin, and approximately ten partsarginine.
 2. The composition of claim 1 further comprising approximately100 parts emollient cream base.
 3. The composition of claim 1 furthercomprising approximately two parts lidocaine.
 4. The composition ofclaim 2 further comprising approximately two parts lidocaine.
 5. Thecomposition of claim 1 further comprising approximately eight partsmineral oil.
 6. The composition of claim 2 further comprisingapproximately eight parts mineral oil.
 7. The composition of claim 3further comprising approximately eight parts mineral oil.
 8. Thecomposition of claim 1 further comprising approximately one quarter parttumeric powder.
 9. The composition of claim 2 further comprisingapproximately one quarter part tumeric powder.
 10. The composition ofclaim 3 further comprising approximately one quarter part tumericpowder.
 11. The composition of claim 4 further comprising approximatelyone quarter part tumeric powder.
 12. The composition of claim 5 furthercomprising approximately one quarter part tumeric powder.
 13. Thecomposition of claim 1 further comprising approximately 0.03 parts folicacid, preferably in the form of dilution powder.
 14. The composition ofclaim 2 further comprising approximately 0.03 parts folic acid,preferably in the form of dilution powder.
 15. The composition of claim3 further comprising approximately 0.03 parts folic acid, preferably inthe form of dilution powder.
 16. The composition of claim 4 furthercomprising approximately 0.03 parts folic acid, preferably in the formof dilution powder.
 17. The composition of claim 5 further comprisingapproximately 0.03 parts folic acid, preferably in the form of dilutionpowder.
 18. The composition of claim 8 further comprising approximately0.03 parts folic acid, preferably in the form of dilution powder. 19.The composition of claim 1 further comprising approximately 0.02 partsvitamin B12, preferably in the form of dilution powder.
 20. Thecomposition of claim 2 further comprising approximately 0.02 partsvitamin B 12, preferably in the form of dilution powder.
 21. Thecomposition of claim 3 further comprising approximately 0.02 partsvitamin B 12, preferably in the form of dilution powder.
 22. Thecomposition of claim 5 further comprising approximately 0.02 partsvitamin B 12, preferably in the form of dilution powder.
 23. Thecomposition of claim 8 further comprising approximately 0.02 partsvitamin B 12, preferably in the form of dilution powder.
 24. Thecomposition of claim 13 further comprising approximately 0.02 partsvitamin B12, preferably in the form of dilution powder.
 25. Thecomposition of claim 1 further comprising approximately 2 parts zinccitrate, preferably in the form of purified powder.
 26. The compositionof claim 2 further comprising approximately 2 parts zinc citrate,preferably in the form of purified powder.
 27. The composition of claim3 further comprising approximately 2 parts zinc citrate, preferably inthe form of purified powder powder.
 28. The composition of claim 5further comprising approximately 2 parts zinc citrate, preferably in theform of purified powder powder.
 29. The composition of claim 8 furthercomprising approximately 2 parts zinc citrate, preferably in the form ofpurified powder powder.
 30. The composition of claim 13 furthercomprising approximately 2 parts zinc citrate, preferably in the form ofpurified powder powder.
 31. The composition of claim 19 furthercomprising approximately 2 parts zinc citrate, preferably in the form ofpurified powder powder.